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Accessing Temple's
Technology Resources

I. Introduction

Temple offers all current students, faculty, and staff an AccessNet account. This account is a set of permissions enabling you to use various technology resources at Temple.

To access Temple's technology resources, you will use your AccessNet username and password. These resources include TUportal (TUmail, Blackboard, OWLnet, MyBackpack, Diamond Dollars, TUlibrary, the Cherry & White Pages update page, and MyHousing), Temple's central systems, and the computer labs. Details about these resources are included below.

II. Activating your AccessNet account

AccessNet accounts are available only to current Temple students, faculty, and staff. Your account remains active as long as you are enrolled as a student or are an employee of the University. There is no charge for an account.

When you open an AccessNet account at Temple, you will choose a username and password. You can type this username and password to log in to TUportal, TUmail, Astro, and the update section of the Cherry & White Pages.

You can obtain your AccessNet username and password by going to the AccessNet Account Activation Web site at http://accounts.temple.edu and following the online instructions. (Please note, however, that if you are a newly admitted student and received an AccessNet Username and PIN/password in the mail, go to http://activate.temple.edu to activate your account.)

Or, if you prefer to obtain your account in person, please bring your current Temple OWLcard to one of the following locations:

Main Campus
Help Desk
The TECH Center, Room 106
12th St. & Montgomery Ave.
215-204-8000

HSC Campus
Computer Services
Medical Research Building
3420 N. Broad Street
Suite 112
215-707-7664

Ambler Campus
Ambler Campus Technology (ACT) Center
Room 106
267-468-8323

Tyler Campus
Tyler Hall
Room 206
215-782-2936

Center City (TUCC)
Computer Center
1515 Market Street, 4th floor
215-204-1521

III. Using Temple's system resources

A. Using TUportal

With your AccessNet username and password, you can gain entry to TUportal which offers a single sign-on gateway to some of Temple's most popular online services. These services, described below, include TUmail, Blackboard, OWLnet, MyBackpack, Diamond Dollars, TUlibrary, Update Cherry & White, and MyHousing.

You can access TUportal at:

http://tuportal.temple.edu

Note: It is very important that you always log out and quit the Web browser when you finish using the TUportal Web site. This will prevent others from accessing your personal information and e- mail.

1. Using TUmail

With your AccessNet username and password, you can use TUmail for sending and receiving your @temple.edu e-mail. Your e-mail address is your AccessNet username@temple.edu, such as jallende@temple.edu.

In addition to accessing your Temple e-mail through TUportal, you can also manage your Temple e-mail through the TUmail Web site at:

http://tumail.temple.edu

TUmail offers the following advantages:

You can access TUmail anywhere using the Web.

You can create a personal address book and a signature file.

You can create folders to manage your mail.

You can easily look up contact information on anyone listed in the Cherry & White Pages, Temple's online directory.

You can control the junk mail sent to your account.

You can set up an automated reply if you plan to be away.

You may also set up a mail client (such as Netscape Messenger, Microsoft Outlook, or Outlook Express) to send and receive your @temple.edu e-mail. See the Computer Services Documentation page for detailed steps on how to set up your mail client to access TUmail.

2. Using Blackboard

You can use your AccessNet username and password to access Blackboard, a system that allows you and your professors to share course materials and participate in online discussion groups. With Blackboard 6 you can personalize the My Portal screen to include a variety of modules, including options such as a dictionary, calculator, and news updates. You can also modify the screen layout and color scheme.

For more information on using Blackboard, see the Blackboard Quick Reference Guide for Students. Information for faculty on using Blackboard is available on the Instructional Support Center Web site.

3. Using OWLnet

OWLnet is Temple's interactive Web-based student system that gives you real-time access to most student records. You can use OWLnet to register for classes, change your PIN, update your address information, and make payments with a credit card. You can also view and print certain student records including undergraduate DARS reports, academic history, financial aid application status and awards, account balances, and billing history/detail.

4. Using MyBackpack

MyBackpack enables you to store and manage files and publish Web pages. This resource provides an alternative to storing files on floppy or zip disks. With MyBackpack, you can also easily share files with Temple students, faculty, and staff.

5. Using Diamond Dollars

Diamond Dollars provides an alternative to carrying cash. Simply deposit funds into your Diamond Dollars account, then use your University ID throughout campus to make purchases. If you have any questions about this resource, call 215-204-3140.

6. Accessing Library Databases

Temple's library research databases and certain library resources--such as LexisNexis Academic and Academic Search Premier--are restricted to members of the Temple community. To access these resources from off-campus, click on the TULibrary tab. Then, when prompted, reenter your AccessNet password. The Temple University Libraries Web site will then appear. Follow the appropriate links for finding articles via the databases.

7. Updating the Cherry & White Pages

You can also use your AccessNet username and password to update your entry in the Cherry & White Pages, Temple's online directory. The directory lists contact information, such as phone numbers, office locations, and e-mail addresses of faculty and staff. Students also have the option of being listed by logging in and making their entry public.

In addition, you can use the Cherry & White Pages to create aliases or nicknames for your @temple.edu address. For more information on updating the Cherry & White Pages, see Update Help.

8. Accessing MyHousing

Myhousing provides real-time access to housing applications and booking records. Use MyHousing to complete and print housing forms and view application status, room assignment, meal plan bookings, and emergency contact information. Once your room assignment is displayed, you can click on Telephone and Internet to apply for telephone service. After your request has been processed, you can obtain your telephone number and Personal Billing Number (PBN).

B. Using Temple's central systems

Your AccessNet username and password gives you access to the Astro Unix system which you can use to work on programming assignments and host Web pages.

To log in to Astro:

1. Access a Secure Shell (SSH) program and connect to Astro.

2. At the system login prompt, type your AccessNet username.

3. Next, at the password prompt, type your AccessNet password.

For information on how to use the Astro Unix system, see the Temple's central Unix systems Web page.

Note: Temple also has a Linux system called Euler used exclusively for research and statistical processing. If you need a Euler account for your research, please contact the Help Desk.

IV. Using Temple's network resources

Access to Temple's computer systems is available from the following locations:

Temple's computer labs
Temple's residence halls
Temple's wireless zones
home

A. Using Temple's computer labs

Computers in public areas at Temple require that you log in using your AccessNet username and password before you use Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer. This measure was taken to reduce illegal use of Temple's networks.

If you do not know your AccessNet username and password, follow the on-screen instructions in the lab to obtain this information and then log in. When you finish using the Web browser, it is important that you quit or fully close out the program to end your session.

B. Using network resources from Temple's residence halls

Ethernet ports have been installed in each room in 1300 Cecil B. Moore, James S. White, Johnson, Hardwick, Peabody, Temple Towers, 1940 N. Park, Ambler East/West, and Tyler Beech Halls, as well as the Triangle Apartments. If you have the appropriate computer hardware and software, you can use these ports for a direct, high-speed connection to the Internet.

The Ethernet connection gives you full Internet service and also automatic access to many of Temple's restricted library databases.

For more information, see Setting Up Your Residence Hall Computer for Internet Access.